London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Mar 31, 2023

Lucy Letby trial: Nurse accused of murder 'cared deeply about babies'

Lucy Letby trial: Nurse accused of murder 'cared deeply about babies'

A nurse accused of murdering babies on a neonatal ward "cared deeply" for those she had to look after, a court has heard.

Lucy Letby is charged with killing seven babies and attempting to murder 10 others at Countess of Chester Hospital in 2015 and 2016.

Outlining Ms Letby's defence, Ben Myers KC, said she was a "dedicated nurse" and in "no way did she want to harm them".

Ms Letby, 32, denies 22 charges.

Mr Myers told the court: "She trained hard to be a neonatal nurse and what she wanted was to care for babies she looked after.

"The defence say she is not guilty of causing intentional harm to any baby or to killing any baby.

"She loved her job. She cared deeply about the babies and also cared for their families.

"She had a fulfilling life, had friends, a life outside work."

Manchester Crown Court earlier heard how she had penned passages including "I am evil" and "I killed them on purpose because I'm not good enough to care for them".

The notes were among other papers and post-it notes which also contained "many protestations of innocence", the jury was told.

The nurse's tightly-written notes were shown to the jury during the trial


But Mr Myers said "anyone with an ounce of human understanding" would see the notes as "the anguished outpouring of a young woman in fear and despair when she realises the enormity of what is being said about her".

He continued: "We recognise the sadness and the stress, and even the anger, that comes with allegations like these.

"I start on behalf of the defence by acknowledging how upsetting the allegations will be and acknowledging the very great loss and sadness of the families involved.

"Anything that I do, or say, during this trial is not intended to diminish that in any way."

But he told jurors it would be "staggeringly unfair" to convict a person without a word of evidence.

He said there was "a real danger" people will simply accept the prosecution theory of guilt "based firmly on coincidence".

Pointing to Ms Letby, of Hereford, sitting in the dock, he told jurors: "It is important to be careful that blame is not heaped on that woman when there may be others who have made mistakes or a system which has failed."

In some cases, he said, no-one could say why a particular child deteriorated or died.

Lucy Letby denies attacking newborn children in a variety of ways including poisoning


Mr Myers said the jury had been shown Ms Letby's text messages, her Facebook searches on the families of babies she was alleged to have harmed and "pieces of paper" and mentioned "amateur psychology".

But he said the "foundation" of the case was medical evidence.

Mr Myers said causes of a baby's deterioration or death were not always clear.

He added in this case the babies were "clinically fragile" and in conditions that could change "very swiftly and deteriorate very rapidly".

Mr Myers said: "Ms Letby is adamant she's done nothing intentionally to harm these babies."

With Child A, the first murder count, Ms Letby was said to have injected air into the child, but he said the defence does not accept an air embolus - or air bubble - was the cause of death.

Mr Myers said the "polite" way of describing the care of Child A on the unit was "sub-optimal".

Lucy Letby worked on the neonatal ward at the Countess of Chester Hospital


With Child B, who was Child A's twin sister, who Ms Letby is accused of trying to kill, it was a "good example" of the "assumption of guilt" and experts had been "influenced by the theory of harm".

Mr Myers said Child C, who Ms Letby is also alleged to have murdered by injecting him with air, was a "very premature" baby, born at 30 weeks.

He said such babies were vulnerable, especially to infection, and Child C should have been at a specialist children's hospital.

Mr Myers said the hospital failed to provide adequate care for Child D, who Ms Letby was alleged to have murdered with air.

He said it was "beyond dispute" Child D should have been given antibiotics hours before she was treated with them, and there was more evidence infection played a part in her death.

He said the prosecution alleged Ms Letby injected Child E with a fatal amount of air and attacked him in front of his mother.

He said: "We say there is no clear explanation in his case for what happened.

"That being so, it is not right to rely on the assumption of guilt."

He next turned to allegations that Ms Letby attempted to murder Child F - the twin brother of Child E - and Child L by poisoning them with insulin.

The barrister said there was "nothing in fact" to establish this.

Child G, who Ms Letby is accused of attempting to murder on three occasions, was an "extremely premature" baby who was "high risk", he said.

Lucy Letby was described as a "dedicated nurse" by her defence


The defence did not accept Ms Letby did anything to contribute to Child's G health problems in the neonatal unit.

Child H, who Ms Letby is alleged to have attacked twice, was another example of "sub-optimal care" by the hospital and "nothing to do with Lucy Letby", he said.

Mr Myers said the defence did not accept Ms Letby caused any harm to Child I, who she is said to have tried to kill on three occasions before succeeding on the fourth attempt.

He said: "We will say her collapses and ultimately death were part of a series of clinical problems which may well have been inevitable given her extreme prematurity."

Mr Myers said the hospital was "well out of its depth" with Child J, who Ms Letby is said to have tried to murder, and knowing how to treat her.

He said an assumption of deliberate harm had been made rather than an alternative explanation of a baby receiving inadequate care.

Ben Myers KC said Ms Letby "in no way wanted to harm" babies in her care


Child K, who is subject of another count of attempted murder, was said to have been harmed with the deliberate dislodging of a breathing tube.

But Mr Myers said the probable cause was the child inadvertently moving the tube herself.

Her case was another example of "sub-optimal care" in that she should have been treated at a more specialist unit.

Mr Myers said the defense did not accept that Child M, who is the twin brother of Child L, was harmed by an injection of excessive air or airway obstruction.

The defence's insisted there was no obvious cause of his collapse.

Mr Myers said: "We are back in the territory of blame being put on Lucy Letby because there is no obvious alternative."

Addressing the allegation that Child N was deliberately harmed by a nasogastric tube being pushed into his throat which caused him to scream, Mr Myers said: "The defence observe there are many reasons why a baby will shout or scream.

Lucy Letby denies the 22 charges against her


"We say it is more far more likely to be hunger. That may sound banal but sometimes it can be true."

Mr Myers said Child N was another baby who received "sub-optimal care" - not from Ms Letby - and should have been treated elsewhere.

The barrister said there was no evidence that Ms Letby inflicted harm to either Child O or Child P - two of three triplets - who she is said to have murdered, or to Child Q, who she allegedly attempted to murder.

Finally, Mr Myers said there were problems with the way the neonatal unit was run, suggesting it was overstretched and understaffed.

He added: "This whole case is complicated.

"Sat in that dock is a young woman who says this is not her fault, so we need to look at the evidence."

The trial was adjourned until Friday morning.

Newsletter

Related Articles

London Daily
Close
0:00
0:00
Russia arrested an American reporter for the Wall Street Journal on espionage charges
You Are So Beautiful
Don’t Dismiss China’s Peacemaking Bid
Postmodern Jukebox European Tour Version
Austrian Parliament members walk out when Volodymyr Zelensky begins speaking.
An old French tune (by Georges Brassens) Pomplamoose ft. John Schroeder
Father obliterates council members following viral TikTok of biological male masturbating in women’s bathroom..
Sattahip Motor Show 20
Tsai Ing-wen received a "warm welcome" from the Chinese people in the US.
SONATE AU CLAIR DE LUNE - Moonlight sonata
EU's von der Leyen: "We know this is an era where we rely on one single supplier. China. 98% of our rare earth supply."
A kiss to build a dream on
China and Brazil have signed a new deal that will allow them to trade in their own currencies, bypassing the US dollar as an intermediary
Wonderful Tonight - Eric Clapton (Boyce Avenue acoustic cover)
Elon Musk and Others Call for Pause on A.I., Citing ‘Profound Risks to Society’
Mean Blues
Nashville style execution
La Chansonnette
“We've had evidence prior to the pandemic that masks were largely ineffective at preventing community transmission of influenza “
Pattaya Addicts
Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz:
Franz Liszt - Liebestraum - Love Dream
Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz rejects being labeled a "billionaire"
Dream a little dream of me
Jamie Dimon is being deposed over JPMorgan Chase role in Epstein lawsuits
Unchained Melody sung like you've NEVER heard!
This is how an electric car saves all the energy that he would have spent if he had lived 50 years longer.
Dave Brubeck - Take Five
Brand new security footage has just been released to the public showing the Active shooter Audrey Elizabeth Hale drove to Covenant Church School in her Honda Fit this morning, parked, and shot her way into the building
Édith Piaf - Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien (Sofie)
Social Media censoring users for saying the true
Rondo Alla Turca
Smart Iranian fashion designer teaching dummy TV anchors lesson about reality
Kiss of fire
AMERICA, 2023
Tom Jones - I´ll Never Fall In Love Again 1967, 1989, 2001
U.S. charges FTX's Bankman-Fried with paying $40 million bribe
Israel Cachao López - Guajira Clásica
Fallen 'Crypto King' Who Owes Millions to Investors Was Kidnapped and Tortured
Edward Maya - Stereo Love (feat. Vika Jigulina) (Extended Mix)
Regulators blame social media for SVB's rapid collapse: 'Complete game changer'
Strauss - Radetzky March - Karajan
AOC explains why she opposes banning TikTok
La vie en rose
UK: Humza Yousaf replaces Nicola Sturgeon as SNP leader and first minister in Scotland
The Temptations - My Girl (Smokey Robinson Tribute) 2006 Kennedy Cent
In a dramatic U-turn against His Government: Judicial Reform Legislation Must Be Halted, Says Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant
Orlando Cachaito Lopez Redencion
Gordon Moore, a co-founder of Intel Corporation, died at 94
Edith Piaf - NON, JE NE REGRETTE RIEN
Powell: Silicon Valley Bank was an 'outlier'
RADETZKY MARCH-2008-Wien, New Year Concert
Bordeaux town hall set on fire in France pro democracy protest
Only you (And you alone)
Police violence in Paris
Strangers In The Night
Paris: Some of the police are stepping down and showing solidarity with the protesters.
Charles Aznavour - La Boheme
Donald Trump arrested – Twitter goes wild with doctored pictures
Summer time
NYPD is setting up barricades outside Manhattan Criminal Court ahead of Trump arrest.
Sting and Stevie Wonder - Fragile (from Sting's 60th birthday concert)
Credit Suisse's Scandalous History Resulted in an Obvious Collapse - It's time for regulators who fail to do their job to be held accountable and serve as an example by being behind bars.
Aux Champs Elysees
Home Secretary Suella Braverman tours potential migrant housing in Rwanda as asylum deal remains mired in legal challenges
Stand By Me - Ben E. King (Boyce Avenue acoustic cover)
Goldman Sachs cuts outlook for European bank debt over Credit Suisse crisis
La Mer (Beyond the Sea) – Avalon Jazz Band
Paris Rioting vs Macron anti democratic law
She
'Sexual Fantasy' Assignment At US School Outrages Parents
Nathalie Song by Enzo Petrachi Stjepan Hauser Cello
Orbán Viktor: the restructuring of the power relations in the whole of Europe is taking place
Shape of My Heart - Sting (Boyce Avenue acoustic cover)
Credit Suisse to borrow $54 billion from Swiss central bank
Radiohead - Creep
The BBC problem about China
Quizás,Quizás,Quizás - Andrea Bocelli - Jennifer Lopez
Strikes-Hit UK Pledges 94 Billion Euros In Cost-Of-Living Budget
Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps - Multi-Couples
Russian Hackers Preparing New Cyber Assault Against Ukraine
Pentatonix Havana
"Will Fly Wherever International Law Allows": US Warns Russia After Drone Incident
Paula Cole - Autumn Leaves
UK face biggest fall in spending power for 70 years
Oscar Benton Bensonhurst Blues
Jeremy Hunt insists his Budget will get young parents and over-50s back into work
OH NANANA vs ABUSADAMENTE
If this was in Tehran, Moscow or Hong Kong
Nina Simone - ”I Put A Spell On You”. Vezi aici cum cântă Jeremy Ragsd
Announcing GPT-4
NIGHTWISH - The Phantom Of The Opera
TRUMP: "Standing before you today, I am the only candidate who can make this promise: I will prevent World War III."
Motorshow 2016 Tanjay Negros Oriental
Drew Barrymore
Monica Bellucci - Ti Amo
China is calling out the US, UK, and Australia on their submarine pact, claiming they are going further down a dangerous road
Michael Jackson - Billie Jean Milena The Voice France 2018
A brief banking situation report
Michael Buble (Help Me Make It Through The Night) feat Loren Allred
Memories Canon In D - Maroon 5 (Boyce Avenue piano acoustic cover)
Matteo Simoni - Marina
Maroon 5 - One More Night
Maroon 5 - Memories
Mark Knopfler - Brothers In Arms (Berlin 2007 Live)
Mark Knopfler & Emmylou Harris - Romeo And Juliet (Real Live Roadrunni
Marina, Marina - The LUCKY DUCKIES intimist live concert at Guimarães
Major Lazer & DJ Snake – Lean On Mauranne The Voice France 2016
Love Theme from Romeo and Juliet - Joslin - Henri Mancini, Nino Rota
LoLa & Hauser - Love Story
Linkin Park Jay-Z - Numb Encore (Live 8 2005)
Hallelujah Mennel Ibtissem, The Voice France Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen - Dance Me to the End of Love
Leonard Cohen & Natasha Rostova - Dance me to the end of love
La casa de papel - Bella Ciao
La Camisa Negra
L'italiano (Toto Cutugno) - The Gypsy Queens
Juanes - La Camisa Negra
Jonathan and Charlotte - Britain's Got Talent 2012 Live Semi Final - U
John Powell - Assassin's Tango
Joe Cocker - You Can Leave Your Hat On (LIVE in Dortmund)
Joe Cocker - Unchain My Heart 2002 Live
Joe Cocker - A Whiter Shade Of Pale
Jay Z & Alicia Keys - Empire State of Mind LIVE
Jason Mraz - Im Yours (live)
Jarrod Radnich - Bohemian Rhapsody - Virtuosic Piano Solo
James Blunt - You're Beautiful
James Blunt - You're Beautiful & Bonfire Heart (Live at The Nobel Peac)
If You Go Away - Helen Merrill & Stan Getz (Tribute to Virna Lisi)
I'LL BE MISSING YOU
I Say a Little Prayer
Hotel California ( Eagles ) 1994 Live
Historia de un amor - Luz Casal. Vezi interpretarea Biancăi Sumanariu
Here Comes The Sun - The Beatles (Boyce Avenue acoustic cover) on Spot
Heart - Stairway to Heaven Led Zeppelin - Kennedy Center Honors
HAVANA by Camila Cabello Zumba Pre Cooldown TML Crew Kramer Pastra
HAUSER and Señorita - I Will Always Love You
HAUSER - Waka Waka
HAUSER - Sway
HAUSER - Lambada
HAUSER - Historia de un Amor
HAUSER - Despacito
Great Pretender
Georgia May Foote & Giovanni Pernice Samba to 'Volare' - Strictly Come
Gary Moore - Still Got The Blues
GIPSY KINGS VOLARE Penelope Cruz
Fugees - Killing Me Softly With His Song
French Latino - Historia de un Amor
For A Few Dollars More The Danish National Symphony Orchestra (Live)
Flashdance • What a Feeling • Irene Cara
Filip Rudan - “Someone You Loved” Audicija 4 The Voice Hrvatska Sez
Eric Clapton - Wonderful Tonight
Enya - Only Time
Enrique Iglesias - Bailando (English Version) ft. Sean Paul
Enrique Iglesias - Bailamos
Elena Yerevan Historia de un amor
Ed Sheeran - Shape of You (Official Music Video)
Ed Sheeran - Perfect Symphony [with Andrea Bocelli]
Ed Sheeran - Perfect (Official Music Video)
Easy On Me - Adele (Boyce Avenue 90’s style piano acoustic cover) on S
ERA - Ameno
ELENA YEREVAN- Cancion Del Mariachi-IN STUDIO-2017 DPR
Dust In The Wind - Kansas (Boyce Avenue acoustic cover)
Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood
Despacito x Shape Of You - Pentatonix
Deep Purple - Child In Time - Live (1970)
David Foster When A Man Loves A WomanIt's A Mans World (SealMichael Bo
Dance me to the end of Love ( Pi-Air Design )
Coolio - Gangsta's Paradise (feat. L.V.) [Official Music Video]
Conquest Of Paradise (Vangelis), played on Böhm Emporio organ
Cielito Lindo
Chico & The Gypsies - Bamboleo
Canción Del Mariachi - Antonio Banderas, Los Lobos • Desperado
Camila Cabello - Havana (Audio) ft. Young Thug
Camila Cabello - Havana ( cover by J.Fla )
California Dreamin' - The Mamas & The Papas José Feliciano (Boyce Ave
Buster Benton - Money Is The Name of The Game
Hallelujah Pentatonix
Bobby McFerrin - Don't Worry Be Happy (Official Music Video)
Bob Dylan - Knockin' On Heaven's Door Emilia The Voice Kids France
Besame Mucho - Cesaria Evora
Ben E. King - Stand by Me Sax Cover Alexandra Ilieva Thomann
Bella Ciao
Bella Ciao - INSTRUMENTAL
Beautiful in White x Canon in D (Piano Cover by Riyandi Kusuma)
Bad Romance - Vintage 1920's Gatsby Style Lady Gaga Cover ft. Ariana Savalas & Sarah Reich(1)
BELLA CIAO 2020 - KARAOKE ITALIANO
BAMBOLEO - Gipsy Kings • Antonio Banderas, Katya Virshilas
BAILANDO (original)
Awesome Ukrainian yodeler - SOFIA SHKIDCHENKO (with English subtitles)
Avicii - The Nights
Atom - The Great Gig in the Sky
Aretha Franklin - (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman (Official Ly
Antonio Banderas - Cancion del Mariachi (Desperado)
André Rieu - Zorba's Dance (Sirtaki)
André Rieu - Can't Help Falling In Love
André Rieu & Mirusia - Ave Maria
Andrew Reyes Elton John - Don't Let The Sun Go Down The Voice 2020 (
Andreas Kümmert Whiter Shade Of Pale The Voice of Germany 2013 Showd
And I Love You So
All About That Bass - Postmodern Jukebox European Tour Version
Alan Walker - Faded (Piano Cover)
Ain't No Sunshine -- Bill Withers (cover by Canen 12 y.o.)
African music
Adriana Vidović - “Creep” Audicija 4 The Voice Hrvatska Sezona 3
Adriana Vidović - “Believer” Nokaut 3 The Voice Hrvatska Sezona 3
A Fistful of Dollars - The Danish National Symphony Orchestra and Tuva
4 Beautiful Soundtracks Relaxing Piano [10min]
2CELLOS - Whole Lotta Love vs. Beethoven 5th Symphony [OFFICIAL VIDEO]
2CELLOS - Smooth Criminal (Live at Suntory Hall, Tokyo)
2CELLOS - Smells Like Teen Spirit [Live at Sydney Opera House]
2CELLOS - Despacito [OFFICIAL VIDEO]
13 Year Old Girl Playing Il Silenzio (The Silence) - André Rieu
094.All About That Bass
00 - SADNESS PART 1
(Ghost) Riders In the Sky (American Outlaws Live at Nassau Coliseum, 1
(Everything I Do) I Do It For You - Bryan Adams (Boyce Avenue ft. Conn
What a wonderful world
Moon river
×